Vacationing in Buffalo #1

My parents, my sister and her family and JOhn and I had a wonderful vacation here in Buffalo.
I am going to share the trip in mostly pictures so beware!!

The Guys spent a day enjoying a nice round of golf while the girls took the boys to the buffalo zoo. Here is Caden feeding the giraffe a cracker. The boys of course loved all the animals.

We spent a nice relaxing day at Niagara Falls. Here is a pic John snapped of me, sitting in front of the falls.
Grandma and Grandpa with their grandson Jackson enjoying the falls.
We relaxed in the park in front of the Niagara river and enjoyed the cool breeze and each others company. The boys where having fun. Here is Caden tackling Jackson.
But don't worry, Jackson will get him back!
Jackson and I looking at the Niagara river which leads into the falls.
John is doing so well learning how to take great pics with our new camera, look at this pretty picture of the waterfall.
We took a break from Niagara Falls and enjoyed a picnic, we could not have a picnic without our annual grape toss. Unfortunately, John and I did not win this year.
While at Niagara falls we were able to do the cave of the winds tour where you get soaked, you can actually get dumped on by the water on the american side!
Here is John and Caden at the Cave of the Winds.
We also took a ride on the maid of the mist.

Crystal beach fun!
One day we headed back to Canada and enjoyed our favorite beach. We all loved it, the weather was perfect and the kids loved it! Here they are laughing in the water.
The boys jumped off the pier, and we had a sand castle building contest, my dolphin came in second!

Our dear friend Kristen took a few family portraits.




We showed them a few of our favorite places to eat, including the anchor bar, pancake house, chill n grill, marcos subs, wegmans, Mattina pizza, neadless to say we had plenty to eat!Here is Jackson at the anchor bar.

Of course us girls got away to do some relaxation without the kids and husbands. We went to a new store called Destination Maternity where we spent a lot of time and money, and then off to enjoy a pedicure and manicure!

We were also able to join lots of others at the Hill Cumorah to view all the historic sites and see the pagenant. Here are the boys at the top of the Hill, a great big brother hug!

If you have been paying close attendion in the few pictures John has been in, you might have noticed a slight change.The new diagnosis is. . . . .Bells Palsy. John discovered this surprising diagnosis a few weeks ago, don't worry it is already getting better. Here he is after an urgent care visit, an ER visit, and a CAT scan.

And last but not least, while my family was in, I brought my mom and dad in with me for my ultrasound, they got to see little baby Taylor, the ultrasound tech, even gave us some 3D shots of baby!!


We had a great time being with Family! Thanks so much for coming to visit us!

Boys in Toronto and WICKED

A few weeks ago John spent the day in Toronto with some of the Boys to go watch a Toronto Blue Jays Baseball game. He had tons of fun hanging out with the guys, now that boards are over! They went up to support Jeremy Guthrey a starting pitcher for the Orioles, a friend of a friend.

John and I were able to go out for a nice night on the town.

We grabbed some delicious Mexican food and headed downtown to watch the musical WICKED. It was so well done, we all enjoyed ourselves so much! And yes, John snuck away with a beautiful mustache.

Patriotic?!

Well, First I feel a little unpatriotic this year. A few reasons: One: I have to work, stinks I know, two: I have to work on Saturday the day following the fourth of July, three: I did not make my traditional flag cake, and fourth: we will probably watch fireworks from our patio or front door! I know kinda sad!

Anyway, I guess that is our life, I feel like July will be a busy month for me and John, well John's life will quickly become much more relaxing as of Monday once he takes his dental board exam. Myself, I am getting started with 3 new classes for school, working, and working, and planning for family to come out. My whole family comes out for a week, then John's mother and brother will be out for a week, so I am trying to prepare for them, trying to do a little more with school so I can take it a little easy when family is here, and working a lot so when family is here I won't have too. Crazy! And most importantly trying to take of myself, my wonderful husband and our little baby boy that is growing so quickly.

First, some exciting news in the baby department! I have been feeling him move inside me for a few weeks now, but yesterday was the first time I felt him move from the outside. I was at the gym and all of a sudden I felt him move(it was huge, like a somersault or something), then I put my hand on my stomach and I could feel him from the outside, his arm or leg or foot or some body part totally moved across my belly and I could totally feel him! I wanted to scream! So when John came home, I had him try, and for the first time he felt baby move!! We are so excited, now I can't keep my hand off my belly because I love to feel him! We are so so excited! Last weekend, I picked up a nice pack n play/portable crib and a jumper chair that hangs in the doorway at a garage sale, they are sweet! I know people are wondering what we are going to name him, but sorry no names as of yet!?

And a few updates from last week, My friend Kristen had a birthday, so it was a nice excuse for all of us to get together for a nice Breakfast at Cracker Barrel, yummy peach french toast and great company.


Then that night I watched her perform at her dance recital, it was very entertaining.

I know I have not been very good at updating the blog, but hopefully I will more often once family comes out and we do lots of fun things!!

It's A . . . .

Yes, Today was a good day! John and I were able to find out what sex our baby is. John thought is was a girl, I thought it was a boy. We really did not care what we were having. We are excited no matter what, just a healthy baby.
Well, it's a BOY! We are so excited. It is crazy to think that we KNOW what we are having, time to get planning and get buying all the stuff for little baby taylor. Even though my belly is growing bigger by the day, its crazy to grasp that the baby that we saw up on the screen today is in my belly!
We loved getting the ultrasound and watching baby move, and see of of it's vital parts. Baby is healthy and was moving around a lot. When baby was relaxing and semi-still he would cross his ankles with his legs stretched out. So cute.
After the ultrasound we went out to celebrate we bought baby his first set of little soft receiving blankets, and then we enjoyed a yummy mexican lunch out.
Now I will bore most everyone with a few (not all) of the ultrasound pics!
There is no denying that he is a BOY!
I know he is hunched over but check out those legs. Those are definitely John's long legs!

Going Home

Going home always brings great memories to mind and I look forward to every chance I have to go home for a quick visit. This last week I was able to be home in Arizona with not only my parents but my sister and her boys. I did not want to come back to Buffalo. I always have so much fun when I am down there with family. I can't wait until I can BE home for good. While enjoying the warm days and sunshine we were able to spend our time doing many things we love. We went shopping, I bought a few maternity items, because while down there, I realized that my "normal" jeans do NOT button any longer. TIme to move to my looser clothes or maternity, I guess. I picked out a stroller and car seat set that I want, and a diaper bag that I love. ( I know I already have my cute petunia, but maybe i need two. . .). We loved eating out at all our favorite restaurants, and just spending time together. I love my cute little nephews and we had fun with them going out to the tempe splash park, an indoor amusement park, and swimming in the backyard!
At Tempe Splash Park
Enjoying the pool time with grandpa.
It was definitely great for my dad to have both of his girls home with him for father's day. We relaxed on Father's day, spending it with the greatest dad ever! (And missing our wonderful husbands).
Relaxing with my boys on fathers day.
I am sure it was a tough trip for him to handle having two pregnant girls in the house, and hormones flying. It was a quick trip but well worth it. THanks Mom for flying me down!!
Cute little Jackson showing off his juice mustache.
Going home was not only spent with family, but gaining two new toys! We have been in the market recently and two great deals came up that we snagged! One a little Nikon D40x which we are excited to learn all about to take cute pictures of our little baby.

And an Imac which will be wonderful since my little laptop is getting old. We love our new toys, and from now on John is grounded from Craigslist, only crib searching allowed!

Well, upon returning from 110 DRY warm arizona (which is so much nicer than 80 and HUMID here), Buffalo welcomed me home with 50 degree weather in June!!
Arizona is calling me back so soon.

17 weeks. . . .

Okay so here is the latest picture of baby and me! I know I am only and I have quite the belly to show!

I know I have been the worst blogger, I don't know what is wrong with me but I am struggling with taking pictures and updating the blog.
Anyway, a quick recap of our lives the past few weeks.
JOhn is DONE with his second year and spring extension. He successfully just finished his first root canal in the clinic. Now it is time to study for the boards he will be taking later this summer.
I am have been enjoying many outings with the girls! We have so much fun together.
I have been busy with work and school, and have been working a lot of the maternity floor with the mothers and babies. I have been feeling great! I have felt the baby move and I feel like my belly is stretching each day!
One last important thing! I am going to Arizona this Wednesday!! Yeah, I am so excited to go home and spend some time with the family and of course shop, talk, and eat!!

Yeah COOKie!

I LOVE David Cook!
Congrats! He is the BEST! (need I say more)

I am hoping now that the show is over, my obsession will die down, I don't think its healthy. . . .

Birthday and baby!

First of all, I am sorry for being the worst blogger ever! I have definitely been slacking in my blogging duty. I apologize.
Everything has been just fine here with John and I. Work and School, the norm and hanging out with each other, we are trying to enjoy all the time we have to be together!
I had an absolutely perfect Mother's day. Actually having the day off, was obviously a plus. Relaxing throughout the day, watching a movie (my pick) with John, 27 dresses, and then getting a pedicure was so great! It was just an awesome day. And of course, we talked via web cam with our wonderful mothers and thanked them for all they have done for us and the great mothers and examples they are to us!
Now onto this weekend, Saturday was my Birthday I know the BIG 2-4! It also was a great day! First of all we slept in (due to our 3am arrival back to our home earlier that morning thanks to the Hassell's and Casper's for a fun dinner and game night that lasted until the wee hours of the morning) and I did not feel bad about it. John made it into the kitchen and out alive after making my requested birthday breakfast, Lemon poppyseed muffins(from scratch) and fresh pineapple.

We got ready for the day, opened my wonderful presents from our wonderful family and then spent the day shopping. It was also a very enjoyable day.

We enjoyed my requested dinner of Pizza Hut (or I did at least), I have been craving pizza lately, and Pizza Hut was my absolute favorite growing up! We rented a few movies and came home, we had a wonderful Cold stone ice cream cake and watched P.S. I Love You.
Now onto the baby update! First of all, I think I popped out this last week! Meaning my belly is no longer just "bloated", I think it is actually sticking out, walking around yesterday, I totally felt like I had a BELLY! Crazy. I am just 14 weeks!
Anyway, here are some cute pics of the baby at 12 weeks!


We are getting more excited each day. We have no idea on names, and have not really done any shopping or preparations for the baby, but I swear we are excited! All I know is that I love a diaper bag that is a little too expensive. . . . all the stars I guess have them, check it out! Google Storksac. (I am not smart enough to do the fancy link)
Enjoy! I promise to update soon!

Last week as a second year. . .

This past week we spent our time house/dog sitting for members in our ward! Along with caring for the dog we spent our time doing a few of the following: (sorry no pics)

Out for 31 cent ice cream cones for dinner, I had the triple scoop while John on the other hand ended up having 7 scoops of ice cream before the night was over. We enjoyed our ice cream night with our great friends the Ashworth's and Josh!

Late night studying parties, consisting of boys, food, noise and the occasional studying.

Girls temple trip out to Palmyra. We had such a great time, we must do it again soon!

Our friends the Fordham's and Josh over for a yummy dinner, dessert and just hanging out!

Out with the Ashworths for a dinner at the local drive in! Yummy Chicken Soulvaki salad!

Watching the American idol results show with some girlfriends! Jason Castro needed to go, and yeah David Cook is still in the running!

And today finishes up the fun for John. Today he successfully finished his 2nd year of dental school! Congrats! I am sure we will celebrate this weekend. I plan on spending a lot more time with him!

(P.S. I will try to do a baby update. I went to the doctor yesterday, I am going to try to scan in the ultrasound pics of our little baby! More on that to come!)

New Step

Baby Sarah

Baby John

Growing up


Getting Married

Now its our turn to start our family.

We will have a new baby joining our family November 17th.
We are very excited for this HUGE change in our lives!

So how have the past 11 weeks changed since I have been pregnant?
1- All my life I have been a morning person. Waking up at 7am with John on my days off was a normal possible thing I would do. I could never really sleep in unless I was sick. Well now I can easily sleep into 10am everyday I have off!
2- Nausea that comes and goes. I am not going to complain because my nauseousness is nothing compared to what many women go through. I am lucky enough to have not thrown up, and I am able to get up and go to work and get out of bed, but it is still quite a difference always feeling LIKE you are going to throw up.
3- CRAZY dreams- WOW. Before I was pregnant I could never remember my dreams(if I had them), not now. Each morning I wake up telling John about my crazy dream. Flying dreams, John in a musical, Pregnant in high school, monsters at work just to name a few!
4-Going pee all the time. And not only that but my ability to hold my pee is non existent. As soon as I get the urge I have to go THEN or else I am in trouble! And I would never wake up at night, and now I do for a nightly trip to the toilet.
5-I swear my stomach is growing, my rib cage is more round, and my stomach is bloated ALL the time. I can not suck in my belly, and I swear it is sticking out! But my clothes still fit so that is a good sign!
6- Food aversions and cravings. Every day at work I would make myself a nice salad, well not now. I swear my vegetable intake has decreased rapidly because I cannot eat salads like that. I can eat salads that other people make and at restaurants but not my own! Now onto cravings: I don't really know if I have any cravings yet, not a whole lot of things sound good, but whenever I see a pizza commercial on TV I want pizza so bad, so I think this might be a craving although I have not given in . . . .yet.
7- Fantasy's. Okay this might be a little too much information for you, but I must say my new crush, or obsession, is David Cook from American Idol! I guess this crush began a few weeks back when he was the focus of a dream. Now I spend a little time watching him online over and over. So needless to say, Tuesday and Wednesday nights I am staring at the TV.
8-An unstable emotional roller coaster! Angry, funny, hyper, sad, crying, happy, all in a matter of minutes! Sometimes I don't know what is going on, and I just have to excuse myself and baby until we get it together!
9- Menu planning and cooking plans. I love to make a menu, go shopping, meal plan, prep and cook dinners, but now nothing on my weekly menu sounds good. So I don't know what to make, we end up doing something that is not even on the list, or going and grabbing something!
10- PURE JOY and EXCITEMENT! That pretty much sums it up!

birthday weekend

This past weekend was filled with two birthday celebrations!
Friday night after I worked John and I went over to a birthday luau celebrating our friends Creed and Garth's matching birthday! It was at the Buffalo ward building. There were tons of people there, luau decorations, tropical fruit smoothies, fun music, games, and a pinata! It was quite the celebration! Happy Birthday boys!

Later that night we came home and finished up the Miss USA pageant, which was okay, I swear they were soooooo much cooler when I was growing up, it was a total party with my sister and I we would have our votes right from the start!
Saturday also was a birthday party for our friends son Crew who turned the big 1! It was great getting together with friends and seeing all of the kids grow up! Stephanie made this amazing carrot cake which was loved by all, and thanks for the recipe (its on our food blog- sweetteeth.blogspot.com)!

Saturday night JOhn and I went out to eat! We ventured out and tried some vietnamese/thai food. It was a fun night and the food was interesting yet good. We then came home and watched Step 2 the streets!( it was my pick, I love dancing movies!)

Open Mic Night

After a hard days work at the hospital, I joined the "girls for FHE. We all met over at Briste's house, for some snacks and then we were off to support our wonderful star Kristen at an open mic performance with Jonas at a local downtown buffalo bar! We all piled in our designated driver's car and headed downtown for a night on the town!

Not only did our friends Kristen and Jonas perform, but when we showed up I noticed a few other familiar faces. A few guys from the ward were there too. A fellow member would perform after Kristen, it was funny to have a huge group of Mormons at a Bar singing some songs. Don't worry no hymns were sung, but that could have been interesting. Here is Kristen and Jonah.(sorry, bad picture on my part).

We had a great time at the bar, it had been a while since we had gotten together, so it was a great night to spend out! Partying at the bar!

Kristen and Jonas did a great job! It is great to hear people with such musical talent since I lack in that area! Thanks girls for a great night!

Cinnamon rolls, bike rides and Conference!

Three great reasons on why today was a GREAT day!
1. Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Since today was conference, I thought I would make some yummy cinnamon rolls for us to enjoy as we relax. That was a great idea, the smell and taste were so very delicious!

2. A nice bike ride. We FINALLY were able to put our nice Christmas present to use. It was warm enough to pull them out and go for a nice stroll. It was clear skies and 60 degrees, yeah, there is hope. I am looking forward to many more rides as the weather permits!


3. Listening to the wonderful words of our dear prophets and apostles. After hearing his words, I have no doubt that I will fall in love with Thomas S. Monson as our new prophet. What an amazing man he is, I learned so much and am looking forward to hearing more from him.

Hope everyone had a beautiful Sabbath!

SICK DAYS

I USED to think I was a pretty healthy gal, not getting sick too often and if I were to get sick it would quickly pass. Well, it must be my turn. Since Monday morning, I have been so sick!
My past week has consisted of either laying in bed or on the couch with numerous blankets, kleenex, and water. Resting, watching dozens of movies, not cooking or cleaning which is very RARE, and trying to take care of myself. It was so hard not to be busy and productive but I felt horrible and I wanted to get better. John did great, getting me anything I wanted.
Symptoms: Headache, stomachache, chestache, actaully whole body ache! Runny/stuffy nose, throat sore, and a wicked wicked cough that was not bad during the day, but at night it was uncontrollable!
Anyway, I know it is not interesting but that has been our lives the past week. Nothing exciting because I have been in bed. I am hopeful for a better week!
Boy am I thankful for being healthy!